Steam rose gently as the ingredients cooked, the rich aroma filling the air almost instantly.
Soon enough, they were ready.
He picked them up and placed them into his bowl, and Aria followed suit. Before long, both of them began eating, dipping in more ingredients...thin slices of meat, fresh seafood, noodles....one after another, barely giving the food time to cool before devouring it.
The warmth of the broth, combined with the flavor, seemed to melt away the tension that had stick to Aria all day.
"Oh my goodness! This is so good!" Aria exclaimed, her voice slightly muffled as she spoke with noodles still in her mouth. "So good, Ethan!"
Ethan chuckled softly, clearly pleased.
"I'm glad you like it," he replied, a warm and satisfied smile settling on his face. "Do you remember? We used to have hot pot all the time back when we were still in school."
Aria's eyes lit up instantly.
